Showing papers in "Earth Moon and Planets in 1997"
TL;DR: In this article, the production rates of eight molecular species (CO, HCN, CH3OH, H2CO,H2S, CS, CH 3CN,HNC) have been monitored as a function of heliocentric distance.
Abstract: C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) has been observed on a regular basis since August 1995 at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths using IRAM, JCMT, CSO and SEST radio telescopes. The production rates of eight molecular species (CO, HCN, CH3OH, H2CO,H2S, CS, CH3CN,HNC) have been monitored as a function of heliocentric distance(rh from 7 AU pre-perihelion to 4 AU post-perihelion. As comet Hale-Bopp approached and receded from the Sun, these species displayed different behaviours. Far from the Sun, the most volatile species were found in general relatively more abundant in the coma. In comparison to other species, HNC, H2CO and CS showed a much steeper increase of the production rate with decreasing rh. Less than 1.5 AU from the Sun, the relative abundances were fairly stable and approached those found in other comets near 1 AU. The kinetic temperature of the coma, estimated from the relative intensities of the CH3OH and CO lines, increased with decreasing rh, from about10 K at 7 AU to 110 K around perihelion. The expansion velocity of the gaseous species, derived from the line shapes, also increased with a law close torh
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174 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the current understanding of the spin states of cometary nuclei and quantify the interactions between the spin, the outgassing, and the resultant torques on the nucleus, and understand the role of rotation in determining the basic physical properties of the nucleus.
Abstract: I discuss our current understanding of the spin states of cometary nuclei. Cometary spin influences the temporal and spatial patterns of outgassing from the nucleus (through diurnal and seasonal effects) and is in turn influenced by outgassing-driven torques. The current challenge to cometary astronomers is to quantify the interactions between the spin, the outgassing, and the resultant torques on the nucleus, and to understand the role of rotation in determining the basic physical properties of the nucleus.
92 citations
TL;DR: A review of a range of important issues regarding interrelations between dust and gas in comets, a description of the gas and dust environment for Hale-Bopp, and a summary of the preliminary results from HaleBopp which are relevant to these issues are presented in this paper.
Abstract: The development of the expanding atmosphere from the evaporating cometary nucleus has traditionally focused on observing and modeling the separate development of two distinct components, gas and dust,which are coupled dynamically with one another at distances out to a few tens of cometary radii. In the last decade or so, however, direct evidence from observations and suggestions from theory suggest that the dusty-gas coma is a tightly coupled system where material is transferred between the solid and gaseous phase as an important integral part of the basic development of the coma. Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) was discovered far from the sun and is the largest and most productive comet, in the sense of release of gas and dust in modern times. This has permitted observations to be made over an unprecedented range of heliocentric distance. This paper presents a review of a range of important issues regarding interrelations between dust and gas in comets, a description of the gas and dust environment for Hale-Bopp, and a summary of the preliminary results from Hale-Bopp which are relevant to these issues. Particular topics include dusty-gas models, dust fading and fragmentation, the role of dust and gas jets, the day/night distribution of gas and dust, and extended sources of gas.
69 citations
TL;DR: The dust coma of comet Hale-Bopp was observed in the thermal infrared over a wide range in solar heating (R = 4.9-0.9 AU) and over the full wavelength range from 3 μm to 160 μm as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The dust coma of comet Hale-Bopp was observed in the thermal infrared over a wide range in solar heating (R = 4.9–0.9 AU) and over the full wavelength range from 3 μm to 160 μm. Unusual early activity produced an extensive coma containing small warm refractory grains; already at 4.9 AU, the 10 μm silicate emission feature was strong and the color temperature was 30% above the equilibrium blackbody temperature. Near perihelion the high color temperature, strong silicate feature, and high albedo indicated a smaller mean grain size than in other comets. The 8–13 μm spectra revealed a silicate emission feature similar in shape to that seen in P/Halley and several new and long period comets. Detailed spectral structure in the feature was consistent over time and with different instruments; the main peaks occur at 9.3, 10.0 and 11.2 μm. These peaks can be identified with olivine and pyroxene minerals, linking the comet dust to the anhydrous chondritic aggregate interplanetary dust particles. Spectra at 16–40 μm taken with the ISO SWS displayed pronounced emission peaks due to Mg-rich crystalline olivine, consistent with the 11.2 μm peak.
67 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the techniques needed for observations of scattered light from cometary dust is presented, and the interpretation of the measurements is based on the power law size distributions of dust grains observed from space.
Abstract: This review begins with a discussion of the techniques needed for observations of scattered light from cometary dust. After an introduction into the basic concepts of the scattering process, observations of the phase curves of brightness, colour and polarization are covered. Images of colour and polarization are presented and the observed relation of colour and polarization in jets and shells is discussed. The interpretation of the measurements is based on the power law size distributions of dust grains observed from space. The power index must lie between 2 and 4 to provide the mass budget and visibility of the dust coma in accordance with the basic facts of cometary physics. Application of mechanical (radiation pressure) theory to cometary images allows us to derive related power law distributions for comets not explored by spacecraft. Grain scattering models are presented and compared with observations. A prediction is made of the spatial distribution of Stokes parameters U and V in the presence of aligned particles. Up to now such patterns have not been observed. Future work should include the exploration of comets at small and possibly very small phase angles and a detailed comparison of polarization and colour images of comets with thermal images and with models based on mechanical theory.
64 citations
TL;DR: A detailed review of the many different methods used to constrain the size of Hale-Bopp's nucleus can be found in this article, where the authors suggest that the available evidence strongly suggests that the nucleus has an effective radius of at least 15 km and is probably in the range 20-35 km.
Abstract: A variety of independent methods have been used to estimate the size of the nucleus of comet Hale-Bopp. Several groups have analyzed optical and infrared images of the comet and claim to detect the signature of the nucleus, despite the presence of a strong coma. A detection of the nucleus was also claimed during mm- and cm-wave observations of Hale-Bopp shortly before perihelion. A team of observers detected the occultation of a star by the nucleus of Hale-Bopp in October 1996. The maximum observed gas production rate of the comet near perihelion can be used to place a lower limit on the size of the nucleus. This paper critically reviews the many different methods used to constrain the size of Hale-Bopp's nucleus. All of the techniques are affected by systematic errors that can be difficult to quantify precisely. Nevertheless, the available evidence strongly suggests that the nucleus of Hale-Bopp has an effective radius of at least 15 km and is probably in the range 20–35 km. Thus, the prodigious gas and production rates from this comet are naturally explained by its unusually large size.
63 citations
TL;DR: In this article, millimeter-wave observations of HNCO, HC3N, SO, NH2CHO, H(13)CN, and H3O(+) in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) obtained in February-April, 1997 with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO).
Abstract: We present millimeter-wave observations of HNCO, HC3N, SO, NH2CHO, H(13)CN, and H3O(+) in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) obtained in February-April, 1997 with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). HNCO, first detected at the CSO in comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake), is securely confirmed in comet Hale-Bopp via observations of three rotational transitions. The derived abundance with respect to H2O is (4-13) x 10(exp -4). HC3N, SO, and NH2CHO are detected for the first time in a comet. The fractional abundance of HC3N based on observations of three rotational lines is (1.9 +/- 0.2) x 10(exp -4). Four transitions of SO are detected and the derived fractional abundance, (2-8) x 10(exp -3), is higher than the upper limits derived from UV observations of previous comets. Observations of NH2CHO imply a fractional abundance of (1-8) x 10(exp -4). H3O(+) is detected for the first time from the ground. The H(13)CN (3-2) transition is also detected and the derived HCN/H(13)CN abundance ratio is 90 +/- 15, consistent with the terrestrial C-13/C-12 ratio. in addition, a number of other molecular species are detected, including HNC, OCS, HCO(+), CO(+), and CN (the last two are first detections in a comet at radio wavelengths).
57 citations
TL;DR: In this article, high resolution (λ/δλ ∼ 20,000) spectra of comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) were obtained during UT 2−5 March 1997 using CSHELL at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea.
Abstract: High resolution (λ/δλ ∼ 20,000) spectra of comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) in the 2–5 μm region were obtained during UT 2–5 March 1997 using CSHELL at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea. The heliocentric and geocentric distances of the comet were ∼1.1 AU and ∼1.5 AU,respectively. We detected emission lines of the gas-phase molecules H2O, 4, C2H6, C2H2, HCN, and CO and derived absolute production rates and relative abundances for all species. We also used the 2-dimensional nature of the CSHELL data to investigate the spatial distribution of the molecules and find evidence that CO was derived at least partly from an extended source in the coma.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a preliminary model of nucleus rotation is used to fit the data and retrieve the rotational parameters of the nucleus of the comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at Pic du Midi Observatory in 1997 from February 2.24 UT to March 31.
Abstract: We observed comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at Pic du Midi Observatory in 1997 from February 2.24 UT to March 31.89 UT with the 1.05-m telescope equipped with a CCD camera and broad- and narrow-band IHW filters. A total of 30000 images were acquired both during night- and day-time. The images were automatically reduced and all the images obtained within 10 min. were co-added to give a set of ∼1000 images used during the analysis. We can identify two jets on the images. The position angle of the brightest jet from February 2.24 UT to March 5.22 UT is measured using an automatic routine which searches for the averaged position angle of the maximum of brightness at a projected distance of 3200–6100 km from the optocenter. A preliminary model of nucleus rotation is used to fit the data and retrieve the rotational parameters of the nucleus. The best fit is found for a source located at a latitude of 64 ± 3°, a sidereal rotation period of 11.35 ± 0.04 h and a right ascension and declination of the North pole of 275 ± 10° and -57 ± 10°. This preliminary analysis shows no evidence for a precession. Grains with velocities of 450–600 m s−1 and radii <;∼ 1 μm dominate the optical scattering cross section in the jets.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented OH 18-cm observations of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at the Nancay radio telescope, which allowed them to obtain both OH production rates and quenching radii.
Abstract: We present OH 18-cm observations of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at the Nancay radio telescope. On nucleus and offset position observations allowed us to obtain both OH production rates and quenching radii. The maximum OH production rate was reached around perihelion, at about1031 s-1.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, simultaneous photometry and polarimetry of comet Hale-Bopp's dust was conducted with the two-channel focal reducer of the Max-Planck Institute for Aeronomy attached to the 2 m telescope of Pik Terskol Observatory (Northern Caucasus).
Abstract: On March 31 and April 1, 1997, simultaneous photometry and polarimetry of comet Hale-Bopp's dust was conducted with the two-channel focal reducer of the Max-Planck-Institute for Aeronomy attached to the 2 m telescope of Pik Terskol Observatory (Northern Caucasus). Interference filters at642 nm and 443 nm selected red and blue narrow-band continuum windows. The observations have been averaged over the one hour of timethe comet could be observed. The polarization maps cover an area of about1 arcmin2 around the nucleus. The values of polarization degree measured close to the nucleus agree very well with observations obtained with aperture polarimetry. They are lower than in the surrounding coma by about 1%. In our field of view the polarization increases along the sun-comet line from the solar to the antisolar side by about 3%. The dust shells are visible in the polarization images. The polarization in the shells is higher by 1 to 2%and this increase is higher in the red than in the blue range. Therefore the ratio of red to blue polarization (≈ 1.2) increases in the shells by ≈ 0.03. In principle, the polarization excess in the shells, the ratio of red/blue polarization and the higher integrated polarization as compared to other comets can be explained by an excess of particles of radius of about 0.1 μm. Such particles, however, are subject to strong radiation pressure and will be pushed back into the tail before they reach the observed location of the shells. Real Rayleigh particles cannot explain the observed increase in the ratio of red/blue polarization. One therefore cannot exclude the possibility that the excess polarization in the shells is caused by fluffy aggregates via effects which are presently not well understood. The colour map shows features not well related to intensity and polarization, perhaps another dust shell of a different particle size.
TL;DR: Polarimetric observations of the light scattered by dust have been carried out at Pic-du-Midi Observatory with the 2 m telescope in June and September-October 1996, and at Haute-Provence Observatory with 0.80m telescope in April 1997 as mentioned in this paper, covering a total number of 11 nights and a large (6.9°-47.7°) phase angle range.
Abstract: Polarimetric observations of the light scattered by dust have been carried out at Pic-du-Midi Observatory with the 2 m telescope in June and September–October 1996, and at Haute-Provence Observatory with the 0.80 m telescope in April 1997. They cover a total number of 11 nights and a large (6.9°–47.7°) phase angle range. The spatial resolution allows to underline structures in the coma, as well in the brightness images as in the polarization maps, with a correlation between the regions of bright structures and the regions of higher polarization. A clear difference appears between the sunward and antisunward side, with higher polarization on the antisunward side. The phase angle coverage allows us to obtain a polarimetric phase curve for the whole coma and to compare it with other cometary phase curves. The degree of polarization is higher for Hale-Bopp than for the comets previously observed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated whether these species are released by the nucleus or produced in the coma by extended sources or photo-processes, and found that the contribution of the nucleus to the total H2CO production rate does not exceed 6%.
Abstract: Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) has been observed on October 5 and 25, 1996 and from March 6 to March 22, 1997 with the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimetrique (IRAM) interferometer at Plateau de Bure (France). Millimetre lines of HCN,HNC, CO, H2CO, CH3OH, H2S, CS and SO were mapped with spatial resolutions of 1.5–3.5 arc sec. These observations allow us to investigate whether these species are released by the nucleus or produced in the coma by extended sources or photo-processes. The brightness distribution of the HCN J (1-0) line is consistent with release from the nucleus. The HNC J (1-0) distribution deviates from that of HCN in the innermost coma, and indicates production of HNC in the coma. This is in agreement with the heliocentric variation of the HNC/HCN ratio (Biver et al., 1997, Science 275, 1915; Irvine et al., 1998, this issue) and formation by chemical reactions (Rodgers and Charnley, 1998, Ap. J. 501, L227; Irvine et al., 1998, Nature 393, 547). There is clear evidence that SO is a photo dissociation product. The observations also confirm that H2CO is mainly produced by an extended source, as first evidenced in comet P/Halley. The contribution of the nucleus to the total H2CO production rate does not exceed 6%. The molecular lines have also been monitored hourly with the five antennas of the interferometer in single-dish mode. The line velocity shifts show aperiodic modulation linked to the nucleus rotation. The amplitude of the modulation differs from one species to another. The periodic modulation seen for the CO J (2-1) line on March 11 suggests that a significant fraction of CO is released continuously night and day by an active source situated at equatorial latitudes on the nucleus surface.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present results of polarimetric and photometric observations of bright comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) obtained at the 0.7 m telescope of Kharkov University Observatory from June 18, 1996 to April 24, 1997.
Abstract: We present results of polarimetric and photometric observations of bright comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) obtained at the 0.7 m telescope of Kharkov University Observatory from June 18, 1996 to April 24, 1997. The IHW and HB comet filters were used. The C2 and C3 production rates for Hale-Bopp are more than one order of magnitude larger and the dust production rates are more than two orders of magnitude larger than the Halley ones at comparable distances. Hence, Hale-Bopp was one of the most dusty comets. The average UC-BC and BC-RC colours of the dust were −0.02 and 0.13 mag, respectively. The polarization of comet Hale-Bopp at small phase angles of 4.8–13.0° was in good agreement with the date for comet P1/Halley at the same phase angles in spite of the fact that the heliocentric distances of comments differed nearly twice. However, at intermediate phase angles of 34–49° the polarization of comet Hale-Bopp was significantly larger than the polarization of the other dusty comets. It is the first case of such a large difference found in the continuum polarization of comets. The wavelength dependence of polarization for Hale-Bopp was steeper than for other dusty comets. The observed degree of polarization for the anti-sunward side of the coma was permanently higher than that for the sunward shell side. The polarization phase dependence of Hale-Bopp is discussed and compared with the polarization curves for other dusty comets. The peculiar polarimetric properties of comet Hale-Bopp are most likely caused by an over-abundance of small or/and absorbing dust particles in the coma.
TL;DR: In this paper, the spectral properties of comets C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) and C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) have been investigated using long-slit spectroscopy.
Abstract: Infrared observations of comets C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) and C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) benefited from the high spectral resolution and sensitivity of echelle spectrometers now equipping ground-based telescopes and from the availability of the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). From the ground, several hydrocarbons were unambiguously detected for the first time: CH4, C2H2, C2H6. Water was observed through several of its hot vibrational bands, escaping telluric absorption. CO, HCN, NH3 and OCS were also observed, as well as several radicals. This permitted the evaluation of molecular production rates, of rotational temperature, and — taking advantage of the 1-D imaging of long-slit spectroscopy — of the space distribution of these species. With ISO, carbon dioxide was directly observed for the second time in a comet (after its detection from the Vega probes in P/Halley). The spectrum of water was investigated in detail (several bands of vibration and far-infrared rotational lines), permitting the evaluation of the rotational temperature of water, and of it spin temperature from the ortho-to-para ratio. Water ice was identified in the grains of Hale-Bopp as far as 7 AU from the ground and possibly at 3 AU with ISO. The composition of cometary volatiles appears to be strikingly similar to that of interstellar ices.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present infrared imaging and photometry of the bright, giant comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) in an extended infrared and optical observing campaign in 1996 and 1997.
Abstract: We present infrared imaging and photometry of the bright, giant comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) The comet was observed in an extended infrared and optical observing campaign in 1996–1997 The infrared morphology of the comet was observed to change from the 6 to 8 jet “porcupine” structure in 1996 to the “pinwheel” structure seen in 1997; this has implications for the position of the rotational angular momentum vector Long term light curves taken at 113 μm indicate a dust production rate that varies with heliocentric distance as ∶ r−14 Short term light curves taken at perihelion indicate a rotational periodicity of 113 hours and a projected dust outflow speed of ∶ 04 km s−1 The spectral energy distribution of the dust on October 31, 1996 is well modeled by a mixture of 70% silicaceous and 30% carbonaceous non-porous grains, with a small particle dominated size distribution like that seen for comet P/Halley (McDonnell et al, 1991), an overall dust production rate of 2 × 105 kg s−1, a dust-to-gas ratio of ∶5, and an albedo of 39%
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of photoionization, recombination and ion-neutral frictional drag are taken into account in the MHD simulation results of the interaction of the expanding atmosphere of comet Hale-Bopp with the magnetized solar wind are presented.
Abstract: MHD simulation results of the interaction of the expanding atmosphere of comet Hale-Bopp with the magnetized solar wind are presented. At the upstream boundary a supersonic and superalfvenic solar wind enters into the simulation box 25 million km upstream of the nucleus. The solar wind is continuously mass loaded with cometary ions originating from the nucleus. The effects of photoionization, recombination and ion-neutral frictional drag are taken into account in the model. The governing equations are solved on an adaptively refined unstructured Cartesian grid using our MUSCL-type upwind numerical technique, MAUS-MHD (Multiscale Adaptive Upwind Scheme for MHD). The combination of the adaptive refinement with the MUSCL-scheme allows the entire cometary atmosphere to be modeled, while still resolving both the shock and the diamagnetic cavity of the comet. Detailed simulation results for the plasma environment of comet Hale-Bopp for slow and fast solar wind conditions are presented. We also calculate synthetic H2O+, CO+ and soft x-ray images for observing conditions on April 11, 1997.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors derived a rotational temperature of 104 ± 30 K and an ammonia production rate at perihelion of6.6 ± 1.3 × 1028 s-1.
Abstract: K-band radio observations of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) were conducted in March/April 1997 at the 100-m Telescope of the Max-Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie. Emission was firmly detected from the five lowest metastable (J = K)inversion transitions of ammonia. Assuming a thermal distribution for the metastable states of NH3, we derive a rotational temperature of 104 ± 30 K and an ammonia production rate at perihelion of6.6 ± 1.3 × 1028 s-1.The updated ammonia-to-water abundance ratio is found to be of the order of 1.0%. We also report a marginal detection of the 616–523transition line of water at λ = 1.35 cm.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the National Radio Astronomy Observatory 12m telescope on Kitt Peak to monitor both the long and short-term variations in H2S, CS, and OCS, as well as observing H2CS and SO.
Abstract: The recent availability of bright comets has given us an excellent opportunity to study cometary chemistry. Comet Hale-Bopp (1995 O1)gave us the particularly rare opportunity to study a bright and active comet for almost two years. Our program concentrated on millimeter-wave observations of sulfur-bearing molecules in an effort to understand the total sulfur budget of the comet. Using the National Radio Astronomy Observatory 12-m telescope on Kitt Peak we monitored both the long and short-term variations in H2S, CS, and OCS, as well as observing H2CS and SO. This was the first observation of H2CS in any comet (Figure 1). Additionally, we mapped CS with the BIMA interferometer. Variations in the line profiles and changes in line intensity as large as a factor of two were seen in day to day observations of both H2S and CS. An example for H2S is shown in Figure 2. This is the first time we can attempt to study the entire group of sulfur-bearing molecules. Models of the sulfur coma have thus far largely been based on observations of the daughter products CS and atomic sulfur made over the last 18 years using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite, coupled with radio observations of CS and H2S in several recent comets. Four new sulfur-bearing species have been observed in comets Hale-Bopp and Hyaku take, three of them parent species. The high resolution maps in CS will also allow spatial information to be included in the sulfur model for the first time. C/Hale-Bopp is the first comet in which so many sulfur species have been observed. Analysis of the abundances of these species in comparison to the total atomic sulfur observed should reveal whether or not we can now account for all of the primary sulfur sources in comets. Perhaps the most interesting question that these observations raised was why C/Hale-Bopp appeared to contain so much more SO and SO2 (as observed by others) than any other comet. This spurred the discovery that the UV fluorescence models of these species were incorrect (S. J. Kim, this issue). Analysis of the data and modeling of the sulfur budget are still underway.
TL;DR: In an effort to understand this new phenomenon, the authors observed but failed to detect in the X-ray the very dusty and active comet C/Hale-Bopp 1995 O1 over a two year period, September 1996 to December 1997, using the ROSAT HRI imaging photometer at 0.1-2.0 keV and the ASCA SIS imaging spectrometer at0.5-10.0 kV.
Abstract: The discovery of X-ray emission from comets has created a number of questions about the physical mechanism producing the radiation. There are now a variety of explanations for the emission, from thermal bremsstrahlung of electrons off neutrals or dust, to charge exchange induced emission from solar wind ions, to scattering of solar X-rays from attogram dust, to reconnection of solar magnetic field lines. In an effort to understand this new phenomenon, we observed but failed to detect in the X-ray the very dusty and active comet C/Hale-Bopp 1995 O1 over a two year period, September 1996 to December 1997, using the ROSAT HRI imaging photometer at 0.1–2.0 keV and the ASCA SIS imaging spectrometer at 0.5–10.0 keV. The results of our Hale-Bopp non-detections, when combined with spectroscopic imaging 0.08–1.0 keV observations of the comet by EUVE and BeppoSAX, show that the emission has the same spectral shape and strong variability seen in other comets. Comparison of the ROSAT photometry of the comet to our ROSAT database of 8 comets strongly suggests that the overall X-ray faintness of the comet was due to an emission mechanism coupled to gas, and not dust, in the comet’s coma.
TL;DR: A review of the dust storms observed on Mars is made in this paper, which includes the seasonal and interannual variability of planet-encircling and regional dust storms, and some aspects of possible mechanisms associated with the origin, maintenance and decay of dust storms are also discussed.
Abstract: A review of the dust storms observed on Mars is made. This includes the seasonal and interannual variability of planet- encircling and regional dust storms. Although there is a significant interannual variability, planet-encircling dust storms have been observed to form during the southern spring and summer seasons, while regional dust storms tend to occur more frequently. Some aspects of possible mechanisms associated with the origin, maintenance and decay of the dust storms are also discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, numerical simulations of the evolving activity of comet Hale-Bopp are presented, assuming a porous, spherical nucleus, 20 km in radius, made of dust and gas-laden amorphous ice.
Abstract: Numerical simulations of the evolving activity of comet Hale-Bopp are presented, assuming a porous, spherical nucleus, 20 km in radius, made of dust and gas-laden amorphous ice. The main effects included are: crystallization of amorphous ice and release of occluded gas, condensation, sublimation and flow of gases through the pores, changing pore sizes, and flow of dust grains. The model parameters, such as initial pore size and porosity, emissivity, dust grain size, are varied in order to match the observed activity. In all cases, a sharp rise in the activity of the nucleus occurs at a large heliocentric distance pre-perihelion, marked by a few orders of magnitude increase in the CO and the CO2 fluxes and in the rate of dust emission. This is due to the onset of crystallization, advancing down to a few meters below the surface, accompanied by release of the trapped gases. A period of sustained, but variable, activity ensues. The emission of water molecules is found to surpass that of CO at a heliocentric distance of 3 AU. Thereafter the activity is largely determined by the behaviour of the dust. If a dust mantle is allowed to build up, the water production rate does not increase dramatically towards perihelion; if most of the dust is ejected, the surface activity increases rapidly, producing a very bright comet.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors determined the linear and circular polarization in the coma of the comet Hale-Bopp with the 2.6m and 1.25m telescopes of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory on March 9 and 11, 1997.
Abstract: Comet Hale-Bopp was observed with the 2.6-m and 1.25-m telescopes of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory on March 9 and 11, 1997. We determined the linear and circular polarization in the coma. For the dust coma, the linear polarization varied from 7.8% to 12.4%. The degree of circular polarization was always negative and did not exceed 0.3% with an accuracy of ±0.04% on average. The passage of a bright star through the cometary coma was monitored with polarimetry and photometry. The wavelength dependence and spatial variations of optical thickness of dust are obtained from the stellar occultation.
TL;DR: In this article, the spin state of the Hale-Bopp nucleus was predicted based on the evolution of the dust coma morphology. And the transformation from near-radial jets to bright arcs was interpreted as a heliocentric and geocentric distance dependent evolutionary sequence.
Abstract: We present constraints on the spin state of comet Hale-Bopp based on coma morphology. Three cases of rotational states are compatible with near perihelion observations: (1) principal-axis rotation, (2) complex rotational state with a small precessional angle, or (3) complex rotational state with a large ratio between the component periods. For principal axis rotators, images from 1996 (pre-perihelion) are consistent with a rotational angular momentum vector, M, directed at ecliptic longitude and latitude (250°, -5°) while images from late 1997 (post-perihelion) indicate (310°, -40°). This may suggest a change in M. A complex rotational state with small precessional angle requires only a small or no change in M over the active orbital arc. In this case, M is directed near ecliptic longitude and latitude (270°, -20°). A rotationally excited nucleus with a large ratio between component periods requires the nucleus to be nearly spherical. The transformation of dust coma morphology from near-radial jets to bright arcs and then again to near-radial jets is interpreted as a heliocentric and geocentric distance dependent evolutionary sequence. The spiral structures seen in CN filters near perihelion (in contrast to sunward side arcs seen in continuum) can be explained if the precursor of CN molecules (likely sub-micron grains) are emitted from the nucleus at low levels (≈ 10% of the peak daytime emission) during the nighttime. This may be indicative of a nucleus with a CO-rich active area(s).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss models of subsurface gas production in distant comets and predictions of how such a source may vary as the comet moves along its orbit, approaching perihelion and receding again.
Abstract: The discovery of C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) at 7 AU from the Sun provided the first opportunity to follow the activity of a bright comet over a large range of heliocentric distances rh. Production rates of a number of parent molecules and daughter species have been monitored both pre- and postperihelion. CO was found to be the major driver of the activity far from the Sun, surpassed by water within 3 AU whose production rate reached 1031 s−1 at perihelion. Gas production curves obtained for various species show several behaviours with rh. Gas production curves contain important information concerning the physical state of cometary ices, the structure of the nucleus and all the processes taking place inside the nucleus leading to outgassing. They are relevant to the study of several other phenomena such as the sublimation from icy grains, dust mantling or seasonal effects. For some species, such as H2CO or HNC, they permit to constrain their origin in the coma. We discuss models of subsurface gas production in distant comets and predictions of how such a source may vary as the comet moves along its orbit, approaching perihelion and receding again. Features in the observed gas production curves of comet Hale-Bopp are generally interpretable in terms of either subsurface production (typical example: CO at large rh) or free sublimation (typical example: H2O). Possible implications for the vertical stratification of the cometary ices are reviewed, and preference is found for a model with crystallization of amorphous ice close to the nuclear surface.
TL;DR: The details of stratigraphic units and structures making up six coronae and their regional surroundings on Venus were examined using full-resolution Magellan images and stereoscopic coverage.
Abstract: The details of stratigraphic units and structures making up six coronae and their regional surroundings on Venus were examined using full resolution Magellan images and stereoscopic coverage. Altimetry and stereoscopic coverage were essential in establishing the local stratigraphic relationships and the timing of corona-related topography. The degree of preservation of signatures of earlier corona-related activities and the scale of later corona-related activities vary significantly from corona to corona. We compared the geologic sequence in each corona to regional and global stratigraphic units, placing the coronae in the broader context of the geologic history of Venus. The results of this study were compared with earlier analyses bringing the total number of corona considered to about 15% of the total corona population. We found that corona started forming soon after tessera formation and largely spanned a significant part of the subsequent geologic history of Venus, over about 200–400 million years. Topographic annulae were initiated in early post-tessera time but were largely completely formed by the time of emplacement of regional plains with wrinkle ridges. Some coronae ceased activity by this time, while others continued until closer to the present, although showing evidence of waning activity. Coronae-associated volcanism dominated many coronae during this later stage. Convincing evidence of pre-regional plains corona- related volcanism was not found in the population examined here. We conclude that coronae formed in a two stage process; the first stage (tectonic phase) involved the annular warping of early extensive stratigraphic units of volcanic origin and the second (volcanic phase) involved coronae-related lava flow activity and local fracturing. For the vast majority of coronae, the first tectonic phase was largely complete prior to the emplacement of the regional plains (Pwr, plains with wrinkle ridges). The vast majority of corona-related volcanic activity (emplacement of Pl, lobate flows) occurred subsequent to the emplacement of regional plains. We found no evidence of coronae initiation in substantially later periods of the observed history of Venus.
TL;DR: The abundance ratio of the isomers HCN and HNC has been investigated in comet Hale-Bopp through observations of the J = 4−3 rotational transitions of both species and it is found that the column density ratio of HNC/HCN in the telescope beam increases significantly as the comet approaches the Sun.
Abstract: The abundance ratio of the isomers HCN and HNC has been investigated in comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) through observations of the J = 4-3 rotational transitions of both species for heliocentric distances 0.93 < r < 3 AU, both pre- and post-perihelion. After correcting for the optical depth of the stronger HCN line, we find that the column density ratio of HNC/HCN in our telescope beam increases significantly as the comet approaches the Sun. We compare this behavior to that predicted from an ion-molecule chemical model and conclude that the HNC is produced in significant measure by chemical processes in the coma; i.e., for comet Hale-Bopp, HNC is not a parent molecule sublimating from the nucleus.
TL;DR: In this article, two different anisotropic, power-type laws were used to filter out the contribution from the dust coma: one peaking at the center of the elliptical surface brightness distribution (law A), the other peaking in its focus (law B).
Abstract: The signal of the nucleus was digitally extracted from six images of the innermost coma of this comet, obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2 in the planetary mode between October 23, 1995 and October 17, 1996. Two different anisotropic, power-type laws were used to filter out the contribution from the dust coma: one peaking at the center of the elliptical surface brightness distribution (law A), the other peaking at its focus (law B). The nuclear R magnitudes in the Cousins system, reduced to a zero phase angle and to 1 AU from Earth and the Sun with a phase coefficient of 0.035 mag/deg and an inverse square distance power law, are found to average 9.46 ± 0.07 and 9.48 ± 0.18 when law A and law B are applied, respectively. These results become 9.49 ± 0.07 and 9.51 ± 0.17, when the nucleus signal on the October 1995 image is assumed to consist of a sum of the contributions from two unresolved nuclear components. In either scenario, no systematic variations are apparent in the nuclear brightness with time, which suggests the absence of any significant contamination of the extracted nuclear signal by the coma. Assuming a geometric albedo of 4 percent, the corresponding effective nuclear diameter amounts to 71 ± 4 km (formal error). This result substantially exceeds the size estimates published by Weaver et al., which are based only on the October 1995 observation and which were obtained with the help of a different reduction method. Runs in which a power-type law fitting the contribution from the coma was assumed to hold all the way to a small fraction of a pixel from the nucleus led to distinctly inferior solutions and yielded spurious values ll70 km for the nuclear diameter.
TL;DR: A review of radio observations of the remarkable comet Hale-Bopp C/1995 O1 in which most major radio astronomical facilities have been involved can be found in this article, where an extended cartography has been obtained using multibeam receivers and on-the-fly techniques.
Abstract: We present here a review of the radio observations of the remarkable comet Hale-Bopp C/1995 O1 in which most major radio astronomical facilities have been involved. These observations started in August 1995, soon after the discovery of the comet (it was then at ∼7 AU from the sun), and well before its perihelion on April 1st, 1997; they are still going on, hopefully up to end of 1998. Extended cartographies have been obtained using multibeam receivers and on-the-fly techniques. High spatial resolution (a few ″) has been achieved with interferometers. Submillimetric observations are playing an increasing role, and high resolution (R ∼ 106−107) spectroscopy of cometary lines is now performed from decimetric to submillimetric wavelengths. The number of species observed at radio wavelengths now reaches ∼28,when it was ∼14 for comet C/1996 B2 Hyakutake. Most of these species are parent molecules. However, ions have been observed for the first time at radio wavelengths, and their velocities measured. Several isotopic species (involving D,13C,34S,15N) have been sought, allowing isotopic enrichment determinations. The abundances of cometary molecules present many similarities and some differences with the abundances of interstellar molecules in regions where grain mantles are believed to be evaporated to the gas phase (hot cores, bipolar flows). They will be discussed for their implications on the origin of cometary ices and of comets themselves.
TL;DR: In this paper, a permanent fan structure was observed towards the north during the whole period of observation and the position angle of the axis of this fan was measured and its variations with time were used to determine the position of the North Pole of the cometary nucleus.
Abstract: Monitoring of the near-nucleus activity of C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) began in Teide Observatory in August 1995. During 1996 the comet was observed on 72 nights between March 26 and November 13. A permanent fan structure was observed towards the north during the whole period of observation. The position angle of the axis of this fan was measured and its variations with time were used to determine the position of the North Pole of the cometary nucleus.